Job Description

JOB POSTING

Mission Services

Women's Services- Inasmuch House

Legal Advocate-Full-Time Contract - End date Dec 23 2025

1 Position

(Bargaining Unit Position as per Collective Agreement)

Wage: $23.42 - $26.38 Per Hour

Posting No. MS0586

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Legal Advocate provides legal advocacy support to women-identified individuals and their dependents who have experienced abuse within various judicial systems. The Legal Advocate is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice. The Legal Advocate will provide service from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and intersectional feminist framework approach respecting each women's self-determination and personal decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide a comprehensive assessment with, and identify goals pertinent to, each individual service user and collaborate with the appropriate community agencies, including but not limited to; Hamilton Police Services, Victim Services, Victim Witness Assistance Program, the courts, Legal Aid Ontario, Family Law Information Centre, and lawyers Ensure the overall safety and security of the shelter is maintained Support the development of a risk assessment and detailed personal safety plan for women-identified individuals and their dependents who have experienced violence and review and update as the service user situation changes Identify child welfare concerns and comply with Duty to Report obligations in accordance with the Child and Family Services Act and good practices in working with women-identified individuals and children around child-welfare concerns and collaborate with CAS/CCAS as needed Provide supportive case management in relation to education on the various judicial systems (Family, Criminal and Immigration Law Systems) Provide supportive programming and advocacy for service users (residents and outreach) Provide information on resources to services users and referrals as identified by service users Plan and facilitate a variety of legal educational groups for residential and outreach service users Provide follow up to the service users for up to three (3) months after completion of the program Keep systematic records using automated case management software and in-house tools developed by Inasmuch House Represent the Legal Advocate Program in the community through public education and promotion; this will be done in consultation with the manager of outreach and shelter operations and partnering agencies Inform and encourage service users to participate in filling out MCCSS Service User Surveys Understand and follow protocols with community partners such as Hamilton Police Services, Children's Aid Society, and the School Board Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and case conference meetings as directed by management Participate in outreach department meetings Participate in weekly check in program meetings with the manager of outreach and shelter operations Participate in monthly Hamilton Legal Advocate meetings Participate in yearly Regional Legal Advocate meetings Provide representation at community coordinating committees such as Domestic Violence Court Advisory Committee (DVCAC) and the Court Committee (sub-committee of WAWG) as needed and directed by Manager of Outreach and Shelter Operations Work safely and identify and report any health and safety concerns to management, in accordance with Mission Services' Workplace health and safety policies and procedures Adhere to a strict confidentiality policy Understands and adheres to all Mission Services, Inasmuch House and Shelter Standards policies and procedures Other duties that may be required to ensure the continuation of services

QUALIFICATIONS:

Successful candidates will hold at minimum a diploma in Social Service Work. A diploma in Assaulted Women and Children Counsellor/Advocate, or degree in Social Work, is preferred Minimum two (2) years of work experience in fields of gender-based violence, child abuse, mental health, concurrent disorders, counselling and other social services supporting vulnerable women; two- four (2-4) years of experience is preferred Demonstrated understanding of gender-based violence, child abuse, mental health disorders, addiction, poverty and homelessness Knowledge and understanding of Family, Criminal, and Immigration law and processes Knowledge of community based legal services and resources with demonstrated expertise in supporting people to navigate the legal system Works from an intersectional feminist perspective Experience working from a person-centered, trauma-informed perspective Works from an Anti-Racist Anti-Oppressive informed framework Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations Ability to make confident decisions that align with the sector standards

HOURS OF WORK:

37.5 hours per week

REQUIREMENTS:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test Valid, clean driving abstract and a reliable vehicle

To apply for this position, please send your cover letter and resume by 5:00PM on June 27, 2025 to:

Kimberly Shears, Manager, Outreach and Shelter Facilities

Email to kshears@mission-services.com

To ensure that Mission Services follows a fair, consistent recruitment and selection process, candidates may be selected for interview once the posting closes as per the date noted in this posting

At Mission Services of Hamilton, we value diversity in our employees and we work from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework and strive for equity and inclusion.

We strive to foster an organization that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from individuals from underserved and underrepresented cultural and racial communities, from First Nations Inuit and Metis communities, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities, and those with lived experience of homelessness, mental health difficulties and addictions.

Mission Services is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $23.42-$26.38 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Employee assistance program On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-06-27